166 Flapper y WJiite or Long-nosed Skates. 



and a lobster. When long-lining was pursued the big Skate 

 were despatched to Billingsgate by boat, or in the first of the 

 season sold at Harwich. Such Skate as are now got are 

 disposed of at Sheerness and Chatham, or Leigh, to the 

 hawkers, or are used by the fishermen's families. Off Margate, 

 Ramsgate and Dymchurch neighbourhood eastwards are said 

 to be good Skate grounds. 



(2) The rare FLAPPER SKATE (R. macrorhynchus), an inter- 

 mediate form between the last and that which follows, is 

 recorded from Dover, but no memorandum of date or other 

 particulars are given (Webb). 



(3) Of the WHITE SKATE (E. alba) Dr. Laver refers to 

 Lindsey as indicating its presence at Harwich. This may 

 be the case, although authorities acknowledge its extreme 

 scarcity on the S. E. coast, while it is more frequently found in 

 the English Channel, especially westerly. When old it is 

 'allowed to be the largest form of British Skate. Its white 

 belly is a marked feature in contrast to the grey or bluish 

 colour of the abdomen of the Common Skate (R. batis). In its 

 young stages its back is orange tint, with a da.rk rim, hence 

 Couch called it the Bordered Ray; and it also goes by the 

 name of the Burton Skate. 



(4) The LONG-NOSED SKATE (R. oxyrJiynchus), whereof its 

 name denotes its prominent character, Webb mentions as among 

 the Dover fish fauna. This species appears to be entirely con- 

 fined to deep water, and is reputed not to be taken during 

 winter. Nos. 2, 3, 4 it has not been our fortune to meet with 

 in the Thames area. 



Short-snouted Group Rays. 



(5) The THORNBACK (R. clavata), familiarly known as the 

 " Roker " in our District, is a much more common species than 

 any of the preceding. As a rule it haunts the shallower waters 

 more than do the skates in general. Hence often captured in 

 the shrimpers' trawl almost at all seasons ; this especially 

 during its early stages, so that apparent abundance may have 



